CVE-2017-9690 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android, with all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, in a qbt1000 ioctl handler, an incorrect buffer size check has an integer overflow vulnerability potentially leading to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9690 represents a critical security flaw within the Linux kernel implementation used across various Android devices and Firefox OS platforms. This issue specifically affects Qualcomm-based systems where the kernel employs the qbt1000 ioctl handler for device communication. The vulnerability stems from an improper buffer size validation mechanism that fails to correctly handle integer overflow conditions during ioctl operations. The flaw exists in the qbt1000 driver component which manages Bluetooth communication protocols, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited to compromise device security and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through an integer overflow condition within the ioctl handler's buffer size validation logic. When processing input parameters through the qbt1000 ioctl interface, the system performs calculations that can result in integer overflow, causing the buffer size check to fail catastrophically. This failure allows an attacker to manipulate the buffer allocation size, potentially leading to a situation where a smaller buffer is allocated than required for the incoming data. The resulting buffer overflow can be leveraged to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially enabling code execution or system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption issues.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9690 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it presents a potential pathway for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution within the kernel space. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability through malicious Bluetooth communications or by crafting specific ioctl commands that trigger the integer overflow condition. The affected platforms include multiple Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum and various Firefox OS implementations, making the attack surface particularly broad. This vulnerability is especially concerning because it operates at the kernel level, where successful exploitation could provide attackers with complete system control, including access to user data, network communications, and device functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected kernel versions and implementation of proper input validation mechanisms within the qbt1000 ioctl handler. System administrators should prioritize updating devices to kernel versions that address this specific integer overflow issue, as the vulnerability cannot be effectively mitigated through runtime protections alone. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking that prevents integer overflow conditions during buffer size calculations and ensuring that all buffer allocations are properly validated against maximum allowable sizes. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring for suspicious Bluetooth activity and ioctl operations that could indicate exploitation attempts, as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage patterns. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing kernel address space layout randomization and other exploit mitigations to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts.